A DEBENHAMS supervisor is preparing for a Mount Everest trek to tick off another challenge on her bucket list.

Tracy Le Grys from Little Horkesley will turn 54 during her adventure - one of a series for charity after she was diagnosed with auto immune disease.

This is when the body's immune system weakens, making it more prone to infection.

She said: "I wasn't very well 12 years ago.

"After I came back from holiday with my mum I was in hospital for two months, I was going from ward to ward and it took two years for the hospital to find out what was wrong.

"I am now in remission which is really good and I thought I have been given a second chance - because the doctor did say to me he didn't think I was going to come out of hospital."

From here Tracy, who is married to David, drew up her wish list of achievements.

Challenges ticked off have included a tandem parachute jump from 10,000 ft, a 100-mile cycle ride, driving a Ferrari and white water rafting.

Tracy admitted her next challenge, trekking to Everest's base camp - an ascent of 17,028 ft - wasn't on her original bucket list.

"Things got crossed off and then an e-mail came through about it and I just knew that was going to be the next thing to do.

"I had also just finished watching about Ben Fogle climbing to the top on television."

While the trip is scheduled for next February Tracy is already starting to train and fundraise for the cash needed to get her there.

Once at the start in Nepal she will be part of a group who will be aided by guides due to the arduous nature of the challenge - where the temperature can be as low as minus 17 Centigrade.

Money raised will be donated for Help for Heroes, due to Colchester's links to the military.

Tracy will need to increase the distance and intensity of training walks, plus she will be making the most of her enjoyment of road biking.

To help her along, the mum-of-one will be at Tesco's Highwoods store on May 24 between 10am and 4pm pedalling on a static bike in return for donations.

She'll be doing the same in Debenhams on June 29, July 27 and August 31.

Sponsor Tracy at https://bit.ly/2Uhiilh.